Suffering - the way of Christ

Suffering is a favorite meditation subject of mine.  Our Lord's words bring such consolation when He assures us that the way of a Christian is a way of suffering and affliction.  Today's Gospel concerns more of an emotional/mental suffering rather then a physical suffering - "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."  Luke 14:26, 27.  (It must be understood that love/hate were the words used to measure preference in the Aramaic language, or this would be a peculiar command indeed, since God clearly desires us to love our family and neighbors.)  We are reminded that we must not prefer anything to God and His law, even comfort and ease in our relationships with family, friends, acquaintances, etc.  It is not enough merely to ensure that we ourselves are not committing significant sins.  We must not only live according to the Commandments and Christ's teachings, encouraging those around us by word and deed, but must also be mindful not to betray our fidelity to God by condoning sinful actions by either remaining silent, or appearing to accept such behavior.  We must judge sin as sin, for by sugar-coating it, or perhaps not speaking up at all, we are doing more harm then good to those for whom we care.  This type of judgement has nothing to do with the final, ultimate judgement that God will pass on each and every soul; pointing out sin is not an attempt to step over that Divine boundary; indeed God orders us to do just that in seeking the good of the other.  Of course, this does not mean that we are to stop loving or praying for those people, on the contrary - love the sinner, hate the sin - they need all the more love and prayer.  

It is interesting to note that Christ immediately follows this revelation with the well known "whoever does not carry his own cross" statement.  He was aware that His commandments would cause division and strife in relationships, even within families, which can be especially saddening and heartbreaking.  Even so, He says we must not waver from both living and speaking truth, and must be willing to accept any hardships or suffering which results from such conflicts out of love for Him.  No matter how hard the situations that face us as Christ's disciples, we must be that much stronger in submitting to and obeying Him...the reward for our sufferings will be great indeed!  With such a love and such a Beloved who suffered the ultimate for us, how can we refuse?  "In truth, the soul perfectly enamored of Christ, its beloved, would not wish to have any other bed or state in this world than the one he had."  (Those are the words of Blessed Angela of Foligno, whose writings I would like to read more of, as she was a wife and mother.)  So those of you who are suffering from any type of circumstance or affliction, take heart and rejoice even in affliction.  He is by your side and will not forsake His faithful.